‘Some pastors are more corrupt than politicians’

The minister-in-charge of the fast growing Episcopal Church of Zion Abuja, Rev. Babatunde Oguntimehin, is also a personal assistant to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the church and national issues

What is the origin of the Episcopal Church?

Episcopal Church is a group of Christian faithful, not just a mere gathering of people but saints – those who have genuinely given their lives, times, sanctified and consecrated to do the works of God. It originated from the Cherubim and Seraphim founded by Apostle Moses Orimolade, led by Most Reverend Mafo in 1951.

Most Rev. Mafo was second-in-command to Apostle Orimolade when God called him out and led him to found the Episcopal Church at Ile-Pepe, a riverine town in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State.

So, how did you find yourself in the church?

First of all, I was born into the Episcopal Church Okitipupa branch 48 years ago. My parents were devoted members. My father was the head of the first branch of the church at Okitipupa. We now have eight branches at Okitipupa. They used to tell me those days that I would be a big prophet and a leader of the church but I would never put a thought to it until some years now when I started seeing Jesus in my dreams.

Sometimes, he would decorate me with big garments and always presented me with the Bible. But I was frightened one night when he said if I don’t hearken unto his voice, he would throw me into the dust bin of history. I woke up and wept. I knew what he was saying but I felt timid to be a servant of God because of issues like consecration, perseverance and commitment which I didn’t want to shoulder.

Considering the frightening statement ‘I will throw you into the dustbin of history”, I decided to visit our headquarters church at Ile-Pepe in Ondo State. After explaining the unusual dreams to our spiritual leader and the father-in-the-Lord, he urged me to start the work of God as a branch head immediately, not just a member of the church anymore. He warned that any procrastination on it would lead me into doom.

He asked me to stay with him for three weeks which I did and after the end of the training, he poured upon me anointing and commissioned me to go and work for Jesus. Since then, I have never been the same again.

How was it like starting the church?

We faced a lot of challenges which I cannot explain here. Four years ago, we secured a place at Danlandi area of Maraba after paying a huge amount of money. But as we were building, there came a serious controversy. But with prayers and fasting, God led us to the present place at Nyanyan where we are now putting up a beautiful and befitting edifice for the service and the glory of God.

Unlike in the southern Nigeria, to build a church in Abuja requires big money, commitment, perseverance and real prayers. One thing is sure when God commissions you for His work and service; no one or forces can stop you.

How do you react to developments as the nation edges towards 2015?

Firstly, let me tell you this: Nigeria will not break up, as some people have predicted, come 2015. There will be some violence but there will be no civil war. I want to warn the politicians who are planning chaos and to win elections at all costs, to stop it otherwise the repercussions will be very severe upon them, their businesses and their families.

God has revealed to me the president of Nigeria in 2015 but I won’t reveal it now until during our convention later in the year. But let me say this here categorically that the next Governor of Delta State is Elder Godsday Orubebe.

Anyone or group of people who are challenging him are just wasting their times and resources because God has ordained him as the next governor, not man.

Is the government winning the war against corruption?

Yes, I agree with you, corruption is the number one problem in Nigeria. Fight corruption and other things will follow. In fact, anyone who cannot fight corruption has no business in the governance of Nigeria. Governments at all levels, especially at the federal level, have no option than to fight corruption not by merely saying it, but by doing it.

I always pinpoint the church, especially these so-called mega churches and big pastors and Bishops to be more corrupt than the governments. Any pastor who fails to expose corrupt members of his church is a corrupt person. Imagine, directors or even assistant directors are donating millions of naira to these churches and nobody is asking them where they’ve got such money. The rogue politicians are attending these churches weekly, nobody is preaching to them to stop stealing and killing people.

These so-called men of God are spiritually empty. They only preach inspirational messages that encourage them to continue to steal and give them their own shares. But hell is real and Heaven is real, unfortunately.